Medical Weight Loss — Where Your Weight Loss Doctor Is Also Your Doctor
You’ve tried the diets. You’ve counted the calories. You’ve been told to “eat less and move more” by providers who spent thirty seconds on the subject before moving on. At VPMC, we approach weight loss as what it truly is — a chronic medical condition with real biological mechanisms, and real medical solutions.
Obesity is not a character flaw or a failure of willpower. It is a complex condition driven by hormones, genetics, metabolism, and environment. Research consistently shows that willpower alone fails because your body actively fights weight loss — increasing hunger signals, slowing metabolism, and promoting fat storage the moment calories are reduced. Medical weight loss works differently because it addresses those biological mechanisms directly, not just the number on the scale.
What Makes VPMC Different?
At most weight loss clinics, a provider writes a prescription and wishes you luck. At VPMC, the physician managing your weight loss is the same physician managing your blood pressure, your diabetes, your thyroid, and your cholesterol. Dr. Palagiri is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine — a dual certification that means your weight loss plan is never created in isolation from your overall health. Your medication choice accounts for your kidney function. Your nutrition plan works with your diabetes management, not against it. Your progress is tracked with medical-grade InBody body composition analysis — measuring muscle mass, body fat, and visceral fat — not just a bathroom scale.
Our Team
Your weight loss journey at VPMC is supported by a multidisciplinary team working together around your specific needs. Dr. Vandana Palagiri, MD, board-certified in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine, designs and supervises all treatment plans. Mital Sarada, RDN, our registered dietitian with over 15 years of clinical experience, creates personalized nutrition plans built around your health conditions, cultural food preferences, and real life — not generic meal templates. Kundana Palagiri, our Duke-trained Health and Well-Being Coach, provides behavioral coaching and accountability for sustainable habit change that lasts beyond the scale.
Six FDA-Approved Medication Options
Many weight loss clinics offer a single medication and fit every patient into the same protocol. VPMC prescribes across the full spectrum of FDA-approved weight loss medications — Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, oral Semaglutide, Saxenda, Contrave, Qsymia, and Lomaira — giving our team the flexibility to match the right medication to your body, your medical history, and your goals. Some patients respond best to GLP-1 injections. Others do better with oral medications or appetite suppressants. Some benefit from a combination approach. The right answer is yours — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
How It Works?
Every VPMC weight loss patient begins with a comprehensive medical evaluation — a thorough review of your health history, lab work to identify every metabolic factor contributing to your weight, and an InBody body composition scan to establish your baseline. From there, your care team builds a personalized treatment plan that may include FDA-approved medication, nutrition counseling, health coaching, and integration with our advanced wellness services. Regular follow-up visits monitor your progress, adjust your medications, and ensure you’re losing fat — not muscle.
This is not a “get the prescription and go” service. Your care team is with you at every step, from your first appointment through long-term maintenance — because losing the weight is only half the equation. Keeping it off is where the real work happens.
Insurance Accepted
Office visits for obesity management are billed to your insurance as standard medical visits through our Privia Medical Group affiliation. Most major plans are accepted, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and more. Our team assists with insurance prior authorizations and manufacturer savings programs to make your medication as affordable as possible.
Why Choose VPMC?
Personalized Care
We understand that every patient is unique. Our dedicated team of internal medicine specialists and experienced doctors takes the time to listen, understand your needs, and develop a personalized care plan that’s right for you.
Comprehensive Services
From preventive care and wellness programs to managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease, we offer comprehensive care for adults and adolescents (16+).
Compassionate Approach
We believe that compassion is at the heart of great healthcare. Our team is committed to providing a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment where you feel heard and valued.
Patient Focused
Your well-being is our top priority. We’re committed to providing the highest quality, most cost-effective care, always seeking to create and deliver value for you and your family.
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